杏MAP导航

By Kielce Gussie

To mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Andrew Phú Yên, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV sent a video message to Vietnamese catechists. Ahead of the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, he extended his gratitude to everyone, especially the young people, who logged onto the call from across the country. The 杏MAP导航 shared he was especially grateful to be 鈥渦nited in prayer in the presence of the holy relic of Blessed Andrew Phú Yên.鈥�

Reflecting on the life of 鈥渁 great son of Vietnam鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Leo highlighted how Blessed Andrew was 鈥渁n invaluable assistant to the Jesuit missionaries who brought the Gospel to Vietnam after his baptism.鈥�

Killed for the faith

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit explains how the Vietnamese blessed was imprisoned for the faith and that when he refused to renounce it, he was martyred. His last words being the name of Jesus.

Catholic missionaries arrived in Vietnam in the 16th century

杏MAP导航 Leo highlighted how in sacrificing his life at only 19 years old, Andrew responded to Christ鈥檚 call to 鈥渞eturn 鈥榣ove for love鈥欌��. His witness then earned him the title of Protomartyr of Vietnam and he was beatified by 杏MAP导航 St. John Paul II in 2000. As the patron of catechists, 杏MAP导航 Leo asked for his intercession to encourage those working to teach the faith to follow the young martyr鈥檚 example in the midst of trial.

A church of catechists

Turning to the Church in Vietnam, 杏MAP导航 Leo used his message to showcase how the local community is full of catechists dedicated to teaching the faith to children and young people. 64,000 catechists are present in and out of Vietnam, the 杏MAP导航 pointed out, calling them 鈥渁 fundamental part of parish life.鈥�

Thanking those who serve in this field, he urged them to 鈥渘ever underestimate the gift鈥� they are as they 鈥渄raw children and youth into friendship with Jesus鈥� by their teaching and example. Continuing his message, 杏MAP导航 Leo reminded them that they 鈥渁re sent by the Church to be living signs of God鈥檚 love: humble servants like Blessed Andrew, full of missionary zeal.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 recalled how Blessed Andrew is said to have encouraged his fellow Christians to stay strong in their faith and to pray for him as well during their imprisonment. 杏MAP导航 Leo used this as a reminder that the Christian life, particularly the catechetical work, 鈥渋s never a solitary endeavor.鈥� We are all part of the Body of Christ.

Rooted in family and culture

Once again referring to his predecessor鈥檚 words, 杏MAP导航 Leo stressed that the ministry of catechists has its roots in a heritage of family and culture. He encouraged the catechists to 鈥渒eep alive鈥� their love for their family and their homeland in their work.

Their faith and culture are passed down, 鈥渆specially the heroic faith of your parents and grandparents, who, like Blessed Andrew, bore witness in suffering and taught you to trust in God.鈥� The 杏MAP导航 challenged them to use these traditions and roots鈥攚hich are gifts from God鈥攖o help them in their mission of sharing the faith with others.

Closing his message, 杏MAP导航 Leo invited the Vietnamese catechists to spiritually join the young pilgrims coming to Rome for the Jubilee of Youth and to be united also with their brothers and sisters in Vietnam. Entrusting them and their work to God, the 杏MAP导航 blessed those on the call and asked for the intercession of Blessed Andrew.